Hit corrupt with sandals: CM KCR

Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday urged workers of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) to “thrash with sandals“ those who seek bribe to sanction leave or release their monetary benefits.

Speaking to Singareni workers belonging to TRSbacked Telangana Boggu Gani Karmika Sangham (TBGKS), which won the election and became the recognised union last week, at Pragati Bhavan here on Sunday , he told them not to give in to corruption.

“It's unfortunate that you are being forced to pay bribes to get your employment benefits such as availing sick leave, making a claim under medi cal scheme or getting a good residential quarters. From tomorrow onwards, thrash them with sandals, if they demand bribes,“ the CM said in an apparent reference to Singareni officials.

Congratulating TBGKS, he called upon the coalmen not to tolerate corrupt officials in SCCL. Stating that the SCCL medical board was imposing undue



hardships on employees, he asked, “Is `6 lakh bribe needed to get approval from the Medical Board? Teach such corrupt officials a befitting lesson and do not encourage bribes in the SCCL.“

Assuring workers that all promises would be implemented without fail, KCR said the proposed interest-free home loans would be providedto all eligible workers.He said the Singareni trade union membership fee would be reduced from the present `20 to `1 per month, AC facility in workers' quarters, and the state would bear educational expenses of employees' children, if they get seats in IITs and IIMs. He promised to make Ambedkar birth anniversary a holiday for SCCL and renovate old quarters of employees.

Thanking employees for the Singareni victory , he said: “I will undertake Singareni yatra soon and find your problems directly . I will undergo medical tests in the Singareni hospital in order to know how you are being treated.“